Social Security Disability Information

It is recommended that you contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) via the internet at http://www.ssa.gov/ . At their website you will find all the information needed and the answers to your questions about the process. You may decide to check your local phone directory to determine attorneys who specialize in assisting clients with application for disability.

The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you, if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.

Social Security pays benefits to people who cannot work because they have a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death. Federal law requires this very strict definition of disability. While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not.

In general, to get disability benefits, you must meet two different earnings tests:

A “recent work” test based on your age at the time you became disabled;
A “duration of work” test to show that you worked long enough under Social Security.